breast-pin
Definition
- Noun:
- A decorative pin worn on the chest: "breast-pin" refers to an ornamental pin or brooch that is typically fastened to the front of a garment, especially a shirt, blouse, or jacket, near the chest area.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- She wore a beautiful pearl breast-pin to the formal dinner. (A decorative pin on her chest.)
- His grandfather’s antique gold breast-pin was passed down as a family heirloom. (An ornamental pin worn on the chest.)
Advanced Usage
"to fasten a breast-pin": to attach or secure a breast-pin to clothing.
- She carefully fastened the breast-pin to her dress before the event. (She attached the pin securely.)
"a breast-pin as a gift": a breast-pin given as a token of affection or remembrance.
- He gave her a silver breast-pin as a birthday present. (A decorative pin given as a gift.)
Variants and Related Words
Pin (n): a small, thin piece of metal used for fastening or decoration.
- She used a safety pin to hold the fabric together. (A simple fastening device.)
Brooch (n): a decorative jewelry item, often larger than a breast-pin, pinned to clothing.
- The brooch on her coat was encrusted with diamonds. (A large ornamental pin.)
Synonyms
- Brooch: an ornamental pin or clasp worn on clothing.
- Clasp: a fastening device, often decorative, for holding clothing together.
- Jabot pin: a pin used to fasten a jabot (a decorative ruffle on a shirt).
Related Idioms
Pin your hopes on: to rely on something or someone for success (not directly related to breast-pin, but uses "pin").
- Don’t pin your hopes on winning the lottery. (Do not rely entirely on it.)
Pin down: to define or determine something precisely.
- We need to pin down the exact date for the meeting. (Establish clearly.)
Note: The term "breast-pin" is somewhat archaic and less common in modern English, often replaced by "brooch" or simply "pin." It specifically denotes a pin worn on the chest, distinct from a tie pin or a lapel pin.